Sussex structure scoops Guinness World Record for ‘most slender tower’

The i360 pod SUS-160113-162758001

Published:11:38Tuesday 16 February 2016

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The new i360 tower on Sussex’s seafront has just been officially named the most slender tower in the world.

The 160m tall British Airways i360 in Brighton has a height to width aspect ratio of 41.15 to 1. Guinness World Record officiators confirmed this week that the tower, which is set to open to the public this summer, is a world record breaker.

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John Roberts, chief engineer and director at British Airways i360, said, “We have used groundbreaking engineering with this tower construction.

“Its height:width aspect ratio is considerably more than other tall buildings such as The Shard’s ratio of 6 to 1 or BT Tower’s of 8 to1.”

David Marks and Julia Barfield, originators and founding shareholders of British Airways i360, said, “We are absolutely delighted to have been working again with the same team that created the London Eye. British Airways i360 builds on the design, engineering, technology and innovation that made the London Eye a worldwide success, and takes it to new heights.”

Eleanor Harris, CEO of the i360, added, “This attraction is a world first in so many amazing ways, so we are delighted to have received this international recognition even before we open to the public this summer.”

Guinness World Record’s world record application rules are very specific and must be adhered to in order to substantiate a world record title. British Airways i360 submitted technical data and specific measurements, including a measurement of the tower above the ground at 160.469 metres (the tower’s measurement above sea level including underground sections is 162 metres).

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